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Gait Analysis Device for Elderly Fall Prediction
Get PDFThis document serves to outline the design process and final design for our project to address elderly independent living in collaboration with Apple. Included in this document is necessary academic literature of current fall risk assessments and descriptions of the current market of wearable gait analysis devices. Based on this research and data, we then outline a plan for design, manufacturing, prototyping, and testing a device to fulfill the original prompt given by our sponsors: create a device that will increase the ability of an aging loved one to live at home safely. This device is a wearable that collects gait data of elderly people and uses that data to predict their risk of falling. Key customer requirements include increasing elder independence, predicting fall risk, and detecting changes in gait and balance. This led to a number of engineering specifications, the most important of which being time of supervision of the elderly person, displacement of device with movement, and the reliability of the sensors to accurately measure metrics associated with gait. In order to achieve these targets, we developed a workflow to span the next two quarters.
We created morphology sketches based on four different functions we decided were necessary for our device to function and created three different concepts based off those functions. All three concepts were analyzed against engineering metrics, and a single concept was chosen: a shoe with built in ultrasonic sensors and an IMU for foot height and gait analysis. Concept sketches were designed to model how this concept would function using SolidWorks, and failure mode and effects analysis was performed to find potential failures before we finalized the device design in order to prevent them from being designed into the product. We also conducted failure mode and effects analysis in order to detect possible problems that could be designed into the device unintentionally and took steps to eliminate the possible risks.
We then created a detailed design that lists exactly what our prototype contains along with how it functions and looks. A prototype was built based on the revised manufacturing plan, circuit diagrams, and design parameters. This prototype was evaluated based on the detailed test plans that include sample sizes, test protocols and expected results. The purpose of these tests was to verify that our device functions in the way that is expected and to validate that the data we are collecting is accurate. Correlation coefficients were determined to be higher than 0.4 for acceleration data of the device IMU when compared to the iPhone IMU, meaning they are strongly correlated with each other and suggesting any algorithms used with the iPhone may also be used for our device. Correlation coefficients were even higher for angular velocity collection, being 0.7 and higher, leading to a very strong correlation between the two IMUs and furthers the algorithm suggestion. Additional tests were to ensure the safety of the user at all times. Data collection was analyzed and then statistical analysis was performed to determine whether the prototype fulfilled the goals presented by our sponsor. Analysis tests determined that IMU acceleration and angular velocity were capable of detecting changes in gait, but ultrasonic sensors were not able to do so.
We conclude with a discussion of learnings from the prototyping process and suggested future steps with a focus on development of a more substantial data analysis algorithm
VR Force Feedback Gloves
Get PDFThe goal of this project is to produce a manufacturing plan for a consumer VR glove. The total addressable market of VR is over 170 million global users as of 2022 (Kolmar , 2022) with a serviceable available market of 300,000 users on Meta’s own social platform (Heath, 2022). The targeted Quest 2 platform utilizes handheld controllers, which causes a lack of immersivity in social settings and gaming scenarios. One common use of the platform involves social platforms such as “Horizons” where users meet in a virtual world to interact; handheld controllers don’t allow users to shake hands, make finger gestures, or touch each other’s avatars. Furthermore, users enjoy a breadth of different immersive games from first person shooters to rhythm block slicing games; in this setting, users often interact with physical objects and cannot sense their shape or their mass, nor can they finely interact with simple virtual mechanisms like weapon triggers. At the current time of writing, VR gloves that are readily available for purchase start at 10,000. However, the previously mentioned 300,000 users of Horizons fall into the consumer market, where accessibility/cost is more constraining; the hardware they use, the Meta Quest 2, costs $400 (Meta, 2022). Thus, these consumer users are unserved by the current market options. This project aims to provide increased immersivity in social and gaming scenarios at a price point that Quest 2 users can afford. Without a thorough customer analysis other than overall sentiment for mass adoption of VR glove technology, this project aims to produce the necessary manufacturing plan and demonstration to appropriately crowd-fund further efforts in offering a product. Deliverables of this project include two prototype demonstrations of the electrical system, mechanical system, and firmware as well as a manufacturing and production plan
Design Fire Robert E. Kennedy Library, California Polytechnic State, San Luis Obispo
Get PDFThis report evaluates the fire protection system of the Kennedy Building using a prescriptive approach and a performance-based design. The prescriptive approach evaluates code compliance of the structural design, fire suppression system, alarm and detection and smoke control. The performance-based design evaluates egress and life safety protection and three design fires that could potentially compromise the goals and objectives of the design.
The Kennedy Building is on the Campus of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and serves as the primary library of the university. This building has five stories of mixed occupancies. It is partially sprinklered, has limited automatic detection and smoke control is achieved by shutting down the HVAC system upon activation of a smoke detector.
The prescriptive based design evaluates compliance with Fire Protection building code requirements as prescribed in IBC 2021. This report evaluates the fire protection features designed for safe egress, fire suppression, alarm and detection, smoke control, and structural fire protection including interior finishes.
Upon evaluation of the prescriptive based design (against current fire codes), it is determined that the building partially meets requirements, and the following recommendations are to be considered to meet minimum requirements: (1) reviewing occupancy use of the second floor to reduce the number of occupants by 250 occupants as the exit capacity on all exits was determined inadequate per prescriptive design; (2) reviewing door openings of the Courtyards to open in the direction of egress and add additional doors; (3) allowing exit access doors to open in the path of travel (room 144 and room 510A), and revise occupancy classification (room 216B); (4) installing a voice alarm system to direct occupants on how to evacuate the building; specially to promote staged evacuation where occupants that are most at risk can have priority at evacuation. Additionally, given a fire on the second floor of the building, the trained staff can advise occupants on the fifth floor to avoid the main stairwell; (5) adding a door on the north side of the mechanical room at the fifth floor to meet travel distance and path of travel requirements; (6) moving the FACP to a location where can be accessed by the fire department from an exterior door.
In addition to prescriptive design, this report evaluates the performance design by analyzing three design fires. The primary goals and objectives of the performance-based designs are to protect life safety. This report evaluates the ability of the occupants to egress prior to reaching maximum tenability conditions as specified by the design fires.
The three design fires follow guidelines specified by the SFPE Handbook and NFPA 101. Given that the main objective of the performance-based design is to ensure safe egress of occupants, the goals were established to evaluate safe egress of all occupants, tenability conditions, and flashover conditions.
Three design fires were analyzed using criteria specified by NFPA 101. These fires included a fire in the Café reaching a maximum HRR of 6,000 KW, a fire in the study room with a maximum HRR of 10,500 KW and an office fire at 2,400 KW.
In all three fire design scenarios, it was determined that the goals and objectives were not met. Based on Pathfinder analysis, RSET was determined to be 17 minutes. In the first fire scenario, tenability limits were reached within six and a half minutes which is much less than the determined RSET. In the second and third fire scenarios, flashover occurs within six minutes and thirteen minutes, respectively.
Based on this analysis, it was determined that installing a full sprinkler system design would increase the probability of safe egress. Per findings of prescriptive and performance-based designs, it is recommended to install a complete sprinkler system that would control fires occurring in the building as well as increasing the time to reach maximum tenability conditions. Finally, although not required by current code, installing a voice alarm system to direct occupants on how to evacuate the building; specially to promote staged evacuation where occupants that are most at risk can have priority at evacuation. Additionally, given a fire on the second floor of the building, the trained staff can advise occupants on the fifth floor to avoid the main stairwell
Alfred J Zoppi Senior Vocal Recital
Get PDFA Senior Recital by Alfred J Zoppi, accompanied on piano by Paul Woodring. In partial fulfillment of the requirements for a Bachelor of Arts in Music
Graduate Internship Report - Cal Poly Bull Test
Get PDFThe Cal Poly Bull Test has a long-standing history on the university campus. The program has continued to grow and improve since it was founded in 1956 and with these improvements to the program, the marketing and curriculum need to adapt as well. For this internship, I worked in partnership with Dr. McFarlane on three main projects focusing on rebranding, curriculum development, and the creation of marketing materials. The rebranding consisted of the creation of a new logo and an updated brand guide. The curriculum development consisted of the creation of a marketing module for the enterprise-class that focuses on teaching the marketing strategy as well as important skills required from the marketing team. The final aspect of my internship was a collaboration with CAFES to develop a marketing and informational video showcasing the Cal Poly Bull Test to be shared with industry stakeholders. The work I completed in this internship will be implemented into the program and will help the Cal Poly Bull Test continue to grow
Plansplaining CEQA: Explaining the Basics of the California Environmental Quality Act
Get PDFThe California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is a half-century old public disclosure law. In recent years, it has attracted public attention in its role in hindering essential developments such as affordable housing and other major public projects. Throughout its lifetime, CEQA has evolved from a simple public project disclosure law into a complex system. However, because of the spread of sensationalized media, CEQA has become frequently mystified and misunderstood by the public. Through a six-video series called Plansplaining CEQA, the YouTube channel Plansplainer seeks to de-mystify California\u27s unique and infamous public disclosure law. The videos are made to accessible to individuals who are not familiar with planning law and will include a transcript
The Effects of Dissolved Hydrogen on the Mechanical Properties and Fracture Behavior of SE508 Nitinol Wire For Biomedical Components
Get PDFSuperelastic nitinol is competitive in the medical device industry due to its unique properties. Typical processing methods, such as electropolishing and etching, can introduce hydrogen into nitinol’s microstructure, which is known to affect its tensile properties. Due to the lack of information about hydrogen content in processed nitinol, an experiment was designed to find a relationship between hydrogen content and SE508 nitinol wire’s tensile strength, permanent set, ductility, and mode-of-failure of the fracture surface. Using a 50% sulfuric acid to mimic industry practices, five wire samples were exposed to the acid solution at seven different time intervals (ranging from 0 to 60 minutes) with additional groups of three samples at 24 hours and four days. Segments from two samples at each time interval were evaluated for hydrogen content, which revealed a consistent increase in hydrogen with time in the etchant. Each sample was tensile tested at a rate of 5 mm/min. The data showed little change in tensile strength and permanent set due to hydrogen, keeping at a consistent permanent set of around 0.20% and ultimate tensile strength of around 1080MPa. Ductility by measuring maximum elongation did not show a clear negative trend due to hydrogen under 150 wt.ppm. The fracture surfaces were imaged under the SEM, where a mixed mode of failure was characterized above 140 wt.ppm hydrogen. Adding between 0 and 150 wt.ppm hydrogen did not have major effects on the tensile properties of superelastic nitinol but had a noticeable impact on the fracture morphology at high concentrations
Walking Self-Portraits: Scores for Creative Exploration of Space
Get PDFIn this original teaching activity, participants work from a set of movement and mark-making scores to explore three dimensions of experience—memory, intervention, and collectivity—in dialogue with art, museum space, and one another
Photophoretic Optical Trapping
Get PDFPhotophoretic Optical Trapping (POT) is a relatively new concept in the field of optics which has potential application in 3D display. The POT is realized by confining a particle within a very small location of the optical system, mostly around the focus. The particle, if captured by the beam, has the potential to print visible 3D images in free space. Our POT system is encapsulated by an acrylic enclosure, which also incorporates a biconvex lens as well as an adjustable focus laser module. Particles are released around the top of the lens’ focal point until the captured particle can be seen. This system establishes that there exists a maximum trapping distance limitation and is the first time the effect of focal length is studied in a POT system. Increasing POT focal length is necessary for improving this technology as a 3D display. The 3D imaging technology is realized by dragging a microscopic (micrometer-scale) particles with a laser beam to trace an image. Current technology can display fully colored and high-resolution 3D images visible from almost any direction. Current 3D display is limited in size to about 1cm 3 , the goal of this paper is to further research how the maximum trapping distance limitation can be increased to improve such displays
Automotive Collision Warning System Retrofit
Get PDFIn the early 2000s, few automakers began implementing forward collision warning systems in their cars. As technology advanced this system became available on more and more luxury cars. In recent years, this technology has spread to more affordable vehicles driven every day. However, as this technology has only recently advanced to less expensive, more economical cars, older vehicles of the same model may not have this advanced and important safety feature. This project investigates and creates a preliminary design for an affordable, easy-to-install, forward collision warning system that can be retrofitted to vehicles without the system currently installed. Using a density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN) clustering algorithm, an extended Kalman filter, and a time-to-collision algorithm, a forward collision warning system was developed and simulated using the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) test scenarios. Software testing and implementation was done in MATLAB and has provided a foundation for future hardware implementation using Texas Instruments mmWave automotive radar (AWR1843BOOST)